Many workers are reporting additional stress as they cope with working from home. Leaders who know that there is a whole team relying on them experience even more stress. Whether you are adjusting to the new normal or are a long-term remote worker, these tips can help you cope with the stress of remote work.
Prioritize Clear Communication
Communicating is difficult when you do not have the benefit of face-to-face interaction to gauge others’ reactions. Make life easier for yourself and your team by sending clear, concise messages. You will get the information that you need more quickly. Clear, detailed communication also makes work easier for members of your team who may be stressed out by unclear expectations.
Clear communication also means keeping your employees’ individual needs in mind. Adjustments can look like adjusting meeting times to accommodate different time zones or prioritizing informal chats that help boost camaraderie that can fall to the wayside when everyone is working from their living rooms.
Be Mindful of What Others Are Going Through
Chances are that you are not the only person who is stressed out by remote work. Your employees are also overwhelmed and confused without the benefit of direct feedback. Try to improve team cohesion by scheduling regular check-ins with yourself or with others. This will help people connect on a personal level.
Be mindful of the privilege that you do have in working from home, especially when interacting with others who do not. Take extra precautions to protect workers at the grocery store or doctor’s office (and protect yourself).
Be Mindful of Your Needs
When you’re working from home, it’s easy for work to bleed into the rest of your life. Set firm boundaries by scheduling time for exercise and rest. It is also important to turn work off completely at a specific time, which will help you maintain a work-life balance.
Leading remotely is not what many would have chosen to do during the past year, but with the right coping techniques it can be a rewarding professional experience.